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Octane Ratings

Frenchy

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Interesting. I've always used just regular 87 octane unleaded.

I played around with 91 octane, but noticed no difference whatsoever. (Possibly an increase of 1-2 mpg, but that within the placebo effect.)

Currently, 91 is running about 50-60 cents/gallon more than regular, so why spend that extra money if you don't see any noticeable benefit?
It depends on how you did the so called playing around. If you did one tank with mostly 91 and the rest 87, then you didn't see the full benefit. This is especially true if you went right back to 87. I recommend have a few full tanks of 91 and up in a row. Also drive it reasonably and you will see the increase. I saw an average of 1-2 on my 2019 when I had it and it felt a bit smoother vs 87.
 

Nopalito

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And it probably runs like shit
I haven’t logged into R5G for probably 2 years.
No problems running 85 for the vast majority of the miles on my truck. It runs better on 85 than using 86 E15.

I also thought you sold your Ranger a long time ago
 

Frenchy

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I haven’t logged into R5G for probably 2 years.
No problems running 85 for the vast majority of the miles on my truck. It runs better on 85 than using 86 E15.

I also thought you sold your Ranger a long time ago
I didn't sell mine. It got totaled......... For reasons this Forum will never let me live down(they were pretty ruthless about it to).........

Also I know your truck isn't getting good performance due to running lower than manufacturer recommend fuel. It has to do with knock and pinging. The higher the octane, the more resistance to knock and pinging due to not igniting the fuel as easily (due to pre-ignition). When I first got my Ranger in October of 2019 I was using 87 even up in Leadville. About a month or two later I switched to 91 and I noticed the difference(nothing neck breaking). The truck was running smoother and had better power delivery. Even the MPG went up by roughly 2. Of course tuning it later helped as well, but that was for other reasons
 

Nopalito

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I guess being retired so long that I've never remember seeing this rating.

85 octanes? I can't remember seeing that option at the pumps.

How can turbo cars handle this? Heck my wife's car we used mid-grade (89). Ranger does (91).

On an article I read they call mid-grade (87)???

Screenshot 2026-07-03 065854.webp
I use almost 85 exclusively in Colorado and I haven’t had any issues in 74,000 miles. I have tried the E15 blended 86 octane but my truck does not like it & it’s not worth the hassle 10c less.
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